TOM AND HUCK DON'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE Childhood and Murder in the Heart of America

At the center of this abridged work is Hannibal, Missouri, self-designated "America's Home Town" and in love with the memories and commercial possibilities of its most famous citizen, Mark Twain. Born in Hannibal about 100 years after Twain, Ron Powers is the author and reader of TOM AND HUCK DON'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE. Powers left Hannibal after high school but returned almost 40 years later in 1997 because he wanted to learn about two murders that scared and scarred the community, each of them involving a different pair of teenagers. In his thoughtful and often compelling exploration of the crimes and the criminals, Powers tries to link three not easily connected subjects: pop sociology about contemporary adolescents, the legacy of Twain, and the writer's own early life, even down to his pride at being a patrol boy in sixth grade. It's a tough assignment, and he deserves at least a "B" for achievement. And a better grade still for his crisp and well nigh flawless narration. Listeners will be pleased. T.H. 2003 Audie Award Finalist (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 02]